Tha Outlawz

:For the southern rock band, see The Outlaws.

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The Outlawz, were a rap group Tupac Shakur founded in late 1995 after his release from prison. The idea behind their names was that each alias referenced a dictator who was an enemy to America. However, Tupac famously took on the name of "Makaveli" after Niccolo Machiavelli for the group's recordings.

Related Topics:
Tupac Shakur - Niccolo Machiavelli

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The main lineup consisted of his cousin Yafeu Fula, aka "Yaki Kadafi" (named after Moammar al-Qadhafi) and E.D.I. Mean (named after Ugandian President Idi Amin), who founded the group in the early 90's as "Dramacydal"; Napoleon, and Hussein Fatal (after Saddam Hussein).

Related Topics:
Moammar al-Qadhafi - Idi Amin - Napoleon - Saddam Hussein

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They are probably best known for appearing in the video for, and rapping on, the Notorious B.I.G., Bad Boy Records, Mobb Deep, ect. diss "Hit Em Up".

Related Topics:
Notorious B.I.G. - Bad Boy Records - Mobb Deep - Diss - Hit Em Up

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The earliest incarnation of The Outlawz, Dramacydal, first appeared on Shakur's 1995 Me Against the World on the title track and "Outlaw". When he signed to Death Row upon his release from prison, Shakur recruited his step brother Mopreme Shakur, formerly known as the rapper "Wycked" (and had actually proceeded Dramacydal by two years, on the 1993 single "Papaz Song" as well as being a member of Shakur's recently disbanded "Thug Life" rap group) and Big Syke, also a former member of Thug Life (who took on the alias Mussolini). Together they formed the original lineup, which debuted on 2Pac's multi-platinum smash All Eyez On Me, on the song "When We Ride". Other times members of Tha Outlawz appear on the record, they are still credited as "Dramacydal".

Related Topics:
Me Against the World - Mussolini - All Eyez On Me

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Mopreme and Big Syke soon severed all ties with Death Row and left the group for financial reasons. Other unofficial members of Tha Outlawz included Storm (aka "The Female Outlaw"), and another ex-Thug Life member, Macadochis. Following Tupac and Kadafi's death, The Outlawz continued to record, and even recruited some new members.

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In 1999, they released the best of their unreleased songs with 2pac, entitled Still I Rise. For a while, they had a dispute over money with Death Row Records, but that blew over and today they are still close with Suge Knight.

Related Topics:
Still I Rise - Suge Knight

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They have also released four "solo" albums without 2pac and Death Row, 2000's "Ride Wit Us Or Collide Wit Us," and 2002's "Novakane," which did actually feature one unreleased Pac song "Worldwide". Other albums include "Outlaw Warriorz," which was a close colloboration with DJ Warrior, and "Outlaw 4 Life: 2005 A.P." They also continue to record new raps for 2Pac unreleased albums and worked closely with Eminem for the soundtrack to the movie '.

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